Six of the best retreats

From the Sisters of the Cistercian Order in Austria to an island on Lake Malawi, where to hide away from stress and lose yourself

The massaging nuns

For the past 40 years, the Sisters of the Cistercian Order have offered
retreats involving water treatments, massages and exercise classes at
Marienkron Abbey (00 43 2173 802 0544, www.marienkron.at),
in Mönchhof, Austria. Every morning, guests can take part in keep-fit
classes with nuns - trying to get into the right habits, so to speak.
Full-board from £56pp.

Top of the world

360 Degrees Leti (020 7384 2332, cazloyd.com)
is a tiny mountain retreat high in the Uttaranchal area of the Indian
Himalayas, with spectacular views around the world's highest mountain range.
Cut off completely from other tourists, visitors live a life of isolated
luxury, without mobile reception or laptops, but replete with dawn
meditation, yoga and organic local produce. Prices start at £320.